Social Work Personal Statement

My main reason for applying to the Simmons School of Social Work is that it is an accredited university with an excellent reputation as an educational institution and offers an MSW program that is predominantly online. I attended Thomas Edison State University online and earned my bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.9. Once I made the decision to continue my education, I searched for MSW programs that were available online with CSWE accreditation in compliance with New Jersey State social work licensure. I found that Simmons’s specialized program in clinical social work is well suited for my educational needs.

The decision to take the clinical route as a second year MSW graduate student, was one that took no hesitation to make. My passion for children and the preservation of families have been a propelling factor in my Social Work career; both academically and professionally. These two entities have motivated me to remain steadfast on the journey to obtaining my MSW so I can continue to be a vessel for children and families who are in need of support and empowerment. The clinical spectrum of social work practice has strengthened my ability to work proficiently with multiple clients and perform well when assisting families in different realms of social work practice. The knowledge gained during my four years as an undergraduate BSW student and

I am pursuing a graduate degree in social work at this time because there is a great need for social workers to enhance the social well-being of disenfranchised persons. When I was growing up educational, environmental, and economic inequalities in my neighborhood meant hardship and uncertainty for youth and families. Witnessing the unaddressed trauma from these hardships in the community became a growing concern for me. Social workers are needed to assist with remedying the plight of the poor and disenfranchised.

There are many reasons why I want to join the undergraduate program in social work. Many of these reasons come from both academic and personal experiences. As a child I lived in a poor neighborhood where I was surrounded by people who were experiencing poverty, homelessness, cultural and language barriers, unemployment, discrimination, and other problems. I also saw friends and family later in my life go through hardships that ranged from child abuse, domestic violence, to drug addiction. These experiences greatly affected how I saw the world.

It is because of this that I am passionate about working in the social work field so that I can make a difference in the child welfare system I believe as a future Social Work candidate at Rutgers School of Social Work I will be educated in social work research, education and training. The skills to better assess youth involved within the child welfare system. As well as, the ability to utilize intervention tools and evidence based screening from Rutgers faculty to assist me alleviate child abuse

My path to a college education has been bumpy and full of roadblocks. The path has not always been clear, but I remain focus on my goals so I don’t look in any direction but ahead. My commitment and motivation to study Social Work came about during my temporary position at One Stop Career Center and volunteering in case management. For example, working amongst case workers or medical social workers that provide community resources shined a light on my future. These professionals may also act as liaisons in court cases; report particular physical or substance abuse; and provide consultation to individuals seeking employment.

Since I was a child, I always knew I wanted to be employed in a field that involved helping others in some fashion, such as teaching or counseling, and eventually realized social work was my calling. While I struggled to decide on a college to attend since I was two years younger than the average freshman, RIC seemed to be a great option and now, I could not be more thankful for the experience. The social work program here is truly inspiring and challenging and the connections I have made, both academically and socially, will last me a lifetime. Currently, I am a junior applying to the major this year with minors in sociology and gerontology. After earning my MSW, I intend to work with the elderly since this has become my passion over the years.

I am applying to the two year program at Stony Brook University because I want to further my education so that I can pursue my goal of helping others achieve a successful and productive life. My passion originates from realizing that there is a need for social workers who can make a difference in people’s life by being supportive and providing the necessary aid needed for everyday survival. Therefore, I believe by completing my master’s degree in social work I can help build a better world by providing care and services that is imperative and vital for survival. There have been many experiences that have influenced my goal to be a social worker. I have learned through personal and profession experience that helping people can have a huge impact.

Social workers possess an innate set of talents, characteristics and skills that enable them to work as helpers and aid others in recognizing their own skills and abilities. For, as long as I can remember I have always wanted to be a social worker and make a difference in the lives of others. I can attribute my passion for helping others to my parents; because of them, I have developed a set of values that are similar to social work’s core values. They lay the foundation for not only what I believe as a professional, but are essential to who I am in my personal life. The values that have been installed in me through my parents and reinforced throughout my education allow me to understand and recognize that everyone has a story to tell and

I have spent the past twenty years working in the social work field, and my passion has not wavered. I feel that I am a strong candidate to your program, because of the many valuable experiences in social work and my desire to continue to help others. I want very much to continue my education because it will open up more career opportunities to help people that I cannot with a bachelor’s degree. If I am accepted into your program, I feel that I am able to address obstacles to successfully complete the master’s program.

I am a wife and a mother of a seventeen years old daughter. I was inspired by my mother to reach my goal by getting a higher education and a career. My younger brother and I were raised by a single college educated mother (Master in Social Work) who nurtured and persuaded us to reach our goals. I received my associate degree in accounting in 1990 and later received my teaching degree from Temple University in 1998. My younger brother is a West Point graduate class of 2002 and later received his master from the University of Pennsylvania.

I am a self-motivated and dependable with a dedicated approach to training and academic advancement. Possessing caring and approachable demeanor, which is invaluable for this field, I am also inquisitive and always looking to sample new things. My brother in law was undergoing depression and unfortunately terminated his life while I was in high school. It was a very tragic moment for both families.

My interests lie in pursuing a Master’s degree in the field of Social Work. I find that this profession offers a unique mix of interdisciplinary fields; it includes theories from economics, education, sociology, medicine, philosophy, politics, psychology, and anti-oppressive and anti-racist discourse. I find this area of study very exciting. It is a fast growing area of study with tremendous potential. Social Work is a professional and academic discipline committed to the pursuit of social welfare, social change, and social justice.

Personal Statement Growing up a military dependent, I attended school in the Department of Defense education system. One of the the greatest experiences I had was the opportunity to live in Okinawa, Japan for six years. I was able to become fully immersed in the Japanese culture at a young age. We had required classes about their culture, local food, and even events with schools from mainland Japan. This was the first experience that showed me how pleasant another culture can be.

I have reviewed the entire Bachelor's program and I am most interested in the introduction to International Relations, Sociology, General Social Psychology, and State Politics and Governance course. I am originally from Sierra Leone and have had first-hand experience with social breakdown including civil conflict, lack of education and poverty. In Sierra Leone, there was a huge problem of child soldiers. Global campaigns and national efforts have reduced the problem through the application of social science. I always inspired to be more empowered to deal with social problems in society.